We're nearly two weeks into training camp and the Steelers will play their first preseason game Thursday at Canton, Ohio, against the Cowboys.
But that doesn't mean the roster isn't starting to take shape. Certainly, the preseason games will be a major factor, typically no more than a spot or two. With some of the backup jobs wide open on this year's team, particularly on the offensive and defensive line, it could be a wild week or three in August.
The first cuts to 85 players will come Aug. 17. A week later, teams will trim rosters to 80, with the final cut coming by Aug. 31. So, that leaves a month for players to state their case.
Two weeks into camp, here's how the roster is starting to look.
Quarterbacks (3): Ben Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins
Roethlisberger is obviously a given and has looked good in this camp. His arm strength is fully back and he has complete command of the offense, both in terms of scheme and in terms of respect in the room.
"He’s a leader. When he goes in there, you feel like you’ve got to play for Ben," rookie running back Najee Harris said. "This is the real thing. That’s really the main thing I’m taking from it. Whenever 7 is in there, it’s for real. No missed nothing or you’re going to hear it, for sure."
Whether it's Rudolph or Haskins as his primary backup remains to be seen. Both have had their moments, both good and bad. The games will go a long way toward determining who's No. 2. The odds still favor Rudolph at this point.
Josh Dobbs isn't going away and is probably one of the best No. 4 quarterbacks in the league -- for what that's worth. Could the Steelers keep him on an expanded practice squad? Absolutely.
Running backs (5): Najee Harris, Anthony McFarland, Benny Snell, Kalen Ballage, Derek Watt
Harris is obviously a given. And he'll handle the bulk of the carries out of the backfield. But McFarland will wind up with the second-most touches of the running backs. The Steelers obviously have a plan for him, not just in the backfield, but as a weapon lining up all over the field.
"He’s learning a lot of different spots," Rudolph said of McFarland. "It’s a credit to (offensive coordinator Matt) Canada, putting him in different spots, knowing his skillset and letting him make plays and keeping the defense on their (toes).
Snell and Ballage could wind up with a role depending on their special teams usage and ability. If they're not on special teams coordinator Danny Smith's main roster, one of the two could be inactive on game day. But with 17 games this season, it could pay to keep an extra back around.
Jaylen Samuels is the odd man out, though he, too, could wind up on the practice squad.
Wide receivers (6): Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, JuJu Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Ray-Ray McCloud, Tyler Simmons
The first four are slam dunks and form one of the deepest WR units in the league.
McCloud could wind up losing offensive snaps to McFarland, so he had better remain dynamic in the return game. But Canada seems to like him, so he should make it.
Simmons, No. 82 if you're keeping track, has opened some eyes with his special teams work. He'll need to carry that over to the games, but that's the way to earn a roster spot.
"I was really impressed with Simmons’ gunner work in the competitive period in special teams tonight," Mike Tomlin said Friday night. "We’re trying to foster that type of environment as well. Those guys are not only vying to become backup wideouts in some capacity, but their contributions in special teams are a significant component of those prospects. And particularly those that are not kick returners. So, Simmons’ work as a gunner and a vice guy is significant in terms of his ability to position himself to be a factor."
He's at least put himself on the radar of the guy who makes the ultimate decision. Rico Bussey and Mathew Sexton have flashed ability, as well. This will be interesting to watch.
Tight ends (3): Eric Ebron, Pat Freiermuth, Zach Gentry
Ebron and Freiermuth are givens, but Gentry might be one of the most improved players in this camp.
The former fifth-round draft pick has taken some time to develop, but develop he has, especially as a blocker. He arrived in Pittsburgh two years ago looking like a converted quarterback who needed to add strength.
Now, he looks like a tight end, and his blocking has improved because of it.
"Zach is a guy that has a skillset and a body to match up with four-three people, and so he better distinguish himself in those circumstances," Tomlin said Saturday after Gentry stood out as a one-on-one blocker.
On a team that is intent on running the ball better, a tight end who is the better option as a blocker might have a distinct role. Freiermuth could still be that guy, but Gentry is more polished in that area -- right now.
I've been on the Kevin Rader bus for three years now, but he hasn't been able to get past Gentry.
Offensive line (9): Chuks Okorafor, Kevin Dotson, Kendrick Green, Trai Turner, Zach Banner, B.J. Finney, Joe Haeg, Dan Moore, J.C. Hassenauer
This one is interesting. The first five guys are the presumed starters, but we haven't seen them all together on the field at any point in this camp. In fact, Okorafor and Dotson haven't participated in a team drill yet, while Banner was only out there on the first day of camp, though Tomlin said he hasn't had a setback in his return from a torn ACL.
Finney and Haeg seem like solid locks, while Moore makes it on scholarship this season as a fourth-round pick.
Hassenauer might be the biggest surprise. He missed about a week with a sprained knee, but he's gotten bigger this season and the team still seems to like him as the potential backup center. Finney can play there, as well, but it's not a bad idea to keep a couple of centers on the active roster just in case Green has some issues.
And both Finney and Hassenauer can play guard, as well.
Anthony Coyle, Rashaad Coward and Aviante Collins have had some moments, but in the end, I don't know that they make the cut.
Defensive line (6): Cam Heyward, Tyson Alualu, Stephon Tuitt, Isaiah Loudermilk, Henry Mondeaux, Isaiah Buggs
Could they go with a rookie and two largely unproven players behind the starters? Sure.
I've just seen little out of Chris Wormley to say that he has to be on this team, and Mondeaux just keeps making plays and his motor always seems to run hot. Buggs over Wormley and Carlos Davis seem to be more of the discussion.
This really is one of the most competitive spots on the roster and the Steelers could wind up cutting some NFL-caliber guys. But there's room on the practice squad for one or two. And the potential for a trade is real.
Outside linebacker (4): T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Melvin Ingram, Jamir Jones
Highsmith has been one of the stars of camp, though you'd like to see him whipping some veteran players rather than rookies such as Moore or Freiermuth. He's still been good and the motor never stops.
Quincy Roche could be the only draft pick not to make it. He's just not flashed as much as Jones, a former Notre Dame star who is strong on his feet. Jones was in camp with the Texans last season, but was released before the start of the season.
Special teams play will be critical, but it looks like Jones spent the time off from football working. He's strong.
Watt hasn't done anything in this camp but work on his conditioning, but that's fine. They know what he is and need to get Highsmith and Ingram as many snaps as they can.
Inside linebacker (4): Devin Bush, Robert Spillane, Ulysees Gilbert, Buddy Johnson
Gilbert has been getting snaps ahead of Marcus Allen throughout the offseason and training camp, and I don't see that changing. He's a linebacker, while Allen is still trying to learn how to play the spot.
Johnson has been flying around, sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad. But that was the book on him coming out of Texas A&M. He should be a special teams demon.
I could see Allen making it if Smith pounds the table for him as a core special teams player, but the drafting of Johnson and addition of Miles Killebrew seem to make him redundant.
Cornerbacks (6): Joe Haden, Cam Sutton, James Pierre, Antoine Brooks, Justin Layne, Arthur Maulet
This is a pretty good group, better perhaps than it might get credit for, at least nationally.
And they don't have to be a shutdown group with the Steelers' pass rush. Pierre has clearly passed Layne on the depth chart, but the Steelers don't seem likely to give up on the former third-round pick, especially not with Haden now 32 and entering the final season of his contract.
Brooks will likely be the starter in the slot, but Maulet has some juice there, as well, and both can be solid special teams contributors.
Safeties (4): Minkah Fitzpatrick, Terrell Edmunds, Miles Killebrew, Tre Norwood
The first two are givens and Killebrew is the backup strong safety and a special teams ace.
Norwood has settled in at free safety behind Fitzpatrick and has made some plays over the course of OTAs and training camp. He has ball skills. Brooks and Maulet both can play some safety, as well, so this could be a spot where the Steelers try to save a spot if they want to keep an extra linebacker.
Specialists (3): Chris Boswell (PK), Pressley Harvin (P), Kameron Canaday (LS)
Boswell hasn't done much at this camp, but his spot is about as solid as any on the roster.
Harvin wasn't drafted because the Steelers loved Jordan Berry. Heck, the Steelers tried to move on from Berry last season with Dustin Colquitt only to bring him back because Colquitt was done.
Harvin hasn't been significantly better than Berry, but he has been slightly better.
Canaday isn't going anywhere, either.
